He was addicted to both drugs and gambling. This caused him to constantly ask his family for money to feed his habits.

His occupation is unclear. Frances once claimed that he was a scientist, but little else is known about it.

He had a son, Donny Carlson, which was unknown to Frances and Robert. After Frances' death, he informed Robert of Donny's existence, and asked for his help getting the boy out of a psychiatric facility in which prisoners were being abused. When Donny escaped, Robert asked for Frank's help in finding him; when Frank refused, Robert disowned him. (CI: "Untethered")